Why has Zoom stopped working on my tablet?

[Zoomwoes]

For over two years I've regularly been taking part in a class over Zoom using my tablet, but for the past two weeks it hasn't worked. I've either got the "wheel of doom" going round and round telling me I'm "Connecting", but it doesn't connect even after several minutes. Or when I've clicked on the button that suggests connecting via my browser, I've got in so that I can see the teacher, but can't hear her, and the picture doesn't fill the whole screen the way it always has before. I have tried switching tablet off and on again, and also uninstalling then reinstalling Zoom, but neither of these things has helped. I have ruled out a wifi problem. (We have back up wifi with a different provider. The same problems with Zoom occur. )

The problem is specific to my tablet. (When I installed Zoom on my phone and logged in, it worked fine. ) Sound on my tablet works fine if I play something I've come across on Facebook. Have also tried getting DH to invite me to a Zoom meeting using his Zoom account. That worked a couple of times, but another time failed to connect.

Any ideas? Tablet is a few years old and has had a lot of use, so perhaps it's just wearing out, but I don't want to buy a new one if it's a problem that could be solved by tweaking something in settings.

My totally inexpert suggestion is that your tablet software needs updating. And it may be that your current model is too old to incorporate the software that’s needed. (That’s usually the reason tech stops working after a few years - built in obsolescence.)

I know - it’s infuriating.

Thanks @RandomersAssociation . Do you mean that my tablet is trying to install an updated version of Zoom, but is too old to cope with it? (Sorry, I am not tech savvy!)

Possibly …

(I am not at all tech savvy.)

I think your tablet maybe too old. According to this website.

support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201179966-Zoom-system-requirements-iOS-iPadOS-and-Android

Supported operating systems
• iOS 8.0* or later:
• Send and receive video using front or rear camera
• iPhone 4 or later, iPad Pro, iPad Mini, iPad 2 or later, iPod touch 4th Generation, iPhone 3GS (no front facing camera)
• iPadOS 13 or later
• Android 5.0x or later
*Note: Zoom no longer supports 32-bit iOS devices as of August 2022. Starting December 2022, Zoom will be ending support for iOS 10 and below. You will need to be on iOS 11 or later in order to continue receiving updates.
Supported browsers for web start
• iOS/iPadOS: Safari5+, Chrome
• Android: Webkit (default), Chrome

What tablet are you using?

I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2016) and Android 8.1.0. So based on the information posted above I think it ought to work?

I hope I'm not talking down okay? You did say you weren't tech savvy. But do you ever go into settings, then apps, then click on the app, scroll down to storage, open then "clear cache"? I occasionally do this for all my larger apps (chrome, Gmail, etc) to free up memory. I have a 2018 Samsung 6 lite and I have to keep clearing the memory. I use an app cleaner daily as well (memory booster). I've also had to keep cutting down on how many apps I actually have on it. Also as pp say check if you've done a system update lately. There were android updates for Samsung at the end of December. Finally go to the Google play store, click on your ID circle at top right, choose "manage apps and device" then update all.
It's just a bit of housekeeping.
Hope this might help a bit.

Also, at the risk talking down to you, have you uninstalled it and reinstalled it? I've had to do that with plenty of software over the years, where the underlying device was definitely powerful enough....

As folks have said above, try clearing cache.

Here's some steps found on a website, it's for a phone but should be same on a tablet.

How to fix Zoom not working
Zoom might be the most popular video conferencing app out there. But like any other app/platform, it’s far from being perfect. Your Zoom app may malfunction at the most unrealistic time, but you can fix it easily in most cases.
In addition to the several popular Zoom problems addressed above, here are other tips you can try when Zoom is not working on your device.

1. Restart your phone

If it’s just a temporary system glitch, then restarting your phone should be the easiest way to fix it. Just hold down your phone’s power button for about 10 seconds. That should restart your phone. Otherwise, do it the normal way.

1. Erase Zoom app’s cache and data

Next, the stored cache and data of the Zoom app may hinder it from working smoothly in some cases. To fix that, we recommend you reset the app by clearing its cache and data. Here’s how to do it on Android: • Open the app drawer on your phone and locate the Zoom • Long-press its icon, then tap App info (or the ‘i’ button) • Tap Storage (& Cache) • Click on Clear cache, then tap Clear data as well to reset the Zoom app. Try re-launching Zoom to see if the issue has been fixed.

1. Update the app and your phone

Another reliable method to fix app-related issues is by updating the app and your device. Doing so brings to your device and the app the latest improvements, bug fixes, as well as features. To update Zoom: • Launch the Play Store on your phone. • Search for Zoom and click the app. • If you see an Update button on the page, tap it to get the latest version. Otherwise, there’s no need to update. To update your device: • Launch the Settings app • Click on System • Select System Update or Software Update. • Tap Check for updates. If an update is available, download it and restart your device. Updating your phone and the Zoom app may fix the issue sometimes. But if that didn’t work, try another solution below.

1. Enable necessary permissions

Another way to fix Zoom not working on your phone is to ensure you enable all required permission. As said earlier, people won’t hear you if you’ve denied Zoom permission to use your phone’s microphone. The same applies to zoom camera not working and others. Here’s how to grant zoom all necessary permission on Android • Locate Zoom in your app drawer. • Long-press its icon, then tap App info (or the ‘i’ button) • Tap Permissions • Finally, ensure all necessary permissions are turned on.

1. Reinstall Zoom

If nothing works, you may need to start afresh by reinstalling Zoom on your phone. By doing that, your device may rectify the issue you’re battling with on Zoom. • Visit the Play Store and search for • Tap the app on the list and hit the Uninstall ‘ • Wait for a few seconds, then tap the Install button to download the app again.

Thank you to everyone who has replied. No one should worry about talking down to me when it comes to tech! I have tried the various things suggested here. Did a test with someone else inviting me to a Zoom meeting and it worked, so I am hoping it works next time I try to join the class!